Now, $62K isn't chicken feed, especially for a childless couple or an empty-nester (the latter of which, by the way, will now have to pay for maternity coverage). But it's also not "new car every year" wealthy, either: that translates to about $15/hour for each partner. That's a customer support gig or delivery driver; honorable jobs, to be sure, but hardly well-to-do.

On the other hand, that same couple without a pair of rings can earn up to $91,000 a year; that's $22 per hour, along the lines of a registered physical therapist or registered nurse. Both of those have great career, and money earning, potential. And that income does qualify one for a subsidy. That is, a couple making just shy of $100,000 can dig into the pockets of folks making far less to help pay for their health insurance.

Now, $62K isn't chicken feed, especially for a childless couple or an empty-nester (the latter of which, by the way, will now have to pay for maternity coverage). But it's also not "new car every year" wealthy, either: that translates to about $15/hour for each partner. That's a customer support gig or delivery driver; honorable jobs, to be sure, but hardly well-to-do.

On the other hand, that same couple without a pair of rings can earn up to $91,000 a year; that's $22 per hour, along the lines of a registered physical therapist or registered nurse. Both of those have great career, and money earning, potential. And that income does qualify one for a subsidy. That is, a couple making just shy of $100,000 can dig into the pockets of folks making far less to help pay for their health insurance.